*Conor Cleary was solid in defence for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. FROM being in ‘Newbridge going nowhere’ to eventually turning the tide, Clare are now on the brink of a return to the top tier of the National Hurling League following a fourth consecutive victory.
*Photograph: Ruth Griffin SENAN DUNFORD impressed with a dream debut in the National League as Clare made it three from three to strengthen their push back to the top tier.
*Clare manager, Brian Lohan. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. JOHN CONLON’s resolve has been praised by Clare manager Brian Lohan who admitted a return of three wins from the first three rounds of the National League was the target they set when commencing preparations for this season.
*John Conlon made his first start of the year for Clare. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. CLARE’s senior hurlers remain firmly on track to bounce back to the top tier of the National Hurling League, their third win in Division 1B seeing them annihilate Down by twenty nine points.
*Mark Rodgers battles to win possession. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. STARTING their National League campaign with a win has been a strong way for Clare’s hurlers to respond to the frustration felt by supporters last year, manager Brian Lohan has said.
PICTURED: Diarmuid Stritch. Photo by Gerard O’Neill Clare have named a 38 man panel for their upcoming National Hurling League Division 1B campaign which starts at home to Dublin in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis this Sunday (2pm). Amongst the six potential National League debutantes are 2023 Munster and All-Ireland Minor winners Mark Sheedy …
*Inagh/Kilnamona defender Keith White in action. Photograph: Mike Brennan INAGH/KILNAMONA hit eight points without reply to seal a five point win over Broadford and more importantly a place in the last eight of the TUS Clare SHC.
*Niall O’Farrell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. BROADFORD battled to their limits outscoring their opponents 5-13 0-4 in the second as Corofin collapsed.
*Broadford’s Cian Mulqueen. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. BROADFORD are not looking beyond their first round tie with Clooney/Quin but they have an ambition to do better than last season which means they want to qualify for the knockout stages.
*Michael Barrett and Paddy Donnellan in action. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill PATRICK Crotty fired the final score to secure a draw for Scariff against Broadford in an East Clare derby in the second round of the TUS Clare SHC.